LINDEN VEY: THE PROSPECT MOST READY FOR NHL DUTY?

Lakingsnews.com friend and fellow Kings’ fanatic, Guy Dulcet, brings us an interview with and an analysis of Linden Vey. Enjoy.

Linden Vey was born July 17, 1991 in Wakaw Saskatoon to a hockey family. As a 13 year old, Linden had a massively successful season wherein he scored 143 points and gained National attention.

Always a steady performer, he was selected by the LA Kings in the fourth round of last year’s draft and, after a meeting with our staff, Linden took what he had learned back to Medicine Hat.

The rest is history.

This past season was a breakout year for the 6’1″ 186 pounder. He not only led his Medicine Hat Tigers but also the entire WHL in scoring with an impressive 46 goals and 70 assists for 116 points in 69 games.

“I came into camp in the best shape of my life and the hard work really paid off big time,” said Vey. “I had great line mates and we just clicked”.

They clicked well enough to see Vey be named CHL player of the week this past April after he had a four goal/five assist effort and a plus-minus of a plus 6 to boot.

Depending on what hockey publications you read or to which pundits you listen, Linden Vey is ranked anywhere from the third to fifth best center prospect in the game.

I asked Linden what he thought about his current notoriety. “I want to play in the NHL and I want to be an impact player when I get there. Anything I do before I get there is great, it’s preparation for what I want to accomplish but it doesn’t matter as much as it will when I get to the NHL, that is my goal”.

In other words, Linden Vey won’t rest until he makes it in the NHL as an impact player.

“I have wanted to play in the NHL since I was a little kid,” said Vey, “It’s all I have ever wanted”.

Vey loves to hit, is a good skater with solid balance and knows how to shake off defenders to get his shot on net. His stick handling skills in tight situations are remarkable and the best part, like all young players who reach their potential in the NHL, is his knack for knowing what to do with the puck once he gets open – be it a tape to tape pass to the open man or finding the back of the net.

What he lacks in elite speed, he makes up in hockey sense and slick moves to get clear. This is the key to his game and why this writer believes he will accomplish his goal and do so in a big way. While other top prospects, like Vey, play the two way game and are efficient in all three zones, what makes Linden stand out from his peers is that superior hockey sense. I believe he is the furthest along of our younger prospects and has the dedication, work ethic and drive to make it to the NHL within the next season although, with Dean Lombardi’s nurturing instincts, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him a couple of seasons from now. Be excited Kings’ fans. He is a great pick up and will help us on our way towards lifting the Cup in Los Angeles.